Goodluck appears to throw his weight behind David Mark describing him as detribalised

FORMER president Dr Goodluck Jonathan appears to have thrown his weight behind ex-senate president Senator David Mark as the ideal candidate to become the Peoples Democratic Party's presidential candidate saying only he can unite the nation.

Next month, the PDP will elect a candidate to be it flagbearer at the 2019 presidential elections in what is likely to be a two-horse race between that person and President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Among the candidates seeking the PDP presidential nomination include Atiku Abubakar, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Aminu Tambuwal, Bukola Saraki, Ibrahim Dankwambo, Sule Lamido, Tanimu Turaki, Attahiru Bafarawa, Jonah Jang, Ahmed Datti and David Mark.

Wading into the debate yesterday, Dr Jonathan, who was president between 2010 and 2015, stated that only a man with the strength of character and a clear conscience like Senator Mark is needed to rebuild a fragmented and disunited Nigeria in 2019. Playing host to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential hopeful in his Yenagoa home yesterday, Dr Jonathan said Nigeria has never been so disunited than now, adding that the country is only existing superficially and this is very dangerous.

He added that beside the issue of a dwindling economy and worsening insecurity, the major problem the next president would face is the challenge of uniting the country and giving every section a sense of belonging. Dr Jonathan stressed that every right-thinking Nigerian should crave for peace and unity if we must continue to stay together.

Dr Jonathan added: “As president of Nigeria, I worked harmoniously with Mark as president of the senate and he demonstrated patriotism and loyalty to his fatherland. His colleagues admitted that he is a detribalised leader, he is the kind of man the nation needs now.”

Hopeful that his party could win the February polls, Dr Jonathan expressed optimism that the PDP would get it right in the 2019 election. Responding, Senator Mark stated that Nigerians now know the difference between light and darkness, saying that he possesses the experience, knowledge and skills to bring the nation out of the social and economic malaise within two years if elected.

Senator Mark, who has been Nigeria's longest-serving senate president, has always been a controversial character, whose role as a former military officer generates heated debates. He was one of the officer who served under General Babangida in the 1990s that annulled the 1993 presidential elections which Chief MKO Abiola won.